Portugal’s parliament has approved a bill banning face veils worn for ‘gender or religious’ reasons in public, and people who wear them could face a hefty fine.
The measure was proposed by the far-right Chega party and would prohibit coverings such as burqas — a full-body garment that covers a woman from head to foot — and niqabs — the full-face Islamic veil with space around the eyes — from being worn in most public places.
Face veils would still be allowed in airplanes, diplomatic premises and places of worship.
